Annual Report 2023-2024
Dear Members,
Welcome to the 2023/2024 Annual Report—a testament to our journey of progress, resilience, and community strength. For 150 years, the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce has been at the forefront of shaping our region’s prosperity, and this year is no exception.
Our dedication to fostering a vibrant business environment has always remained strong. We understand that true prosperity extends beyond economic indicators—it’s about creating a community where every piece of the puzzle fits together seamlessly.
Over the past fiscal year, our Advocacy team, with your support, has achieved remarkable milestones. Through the Shared Legislative Agenda, our region secured $2 million from the State legislature for pocket gopher habitat conservation in Tumwater, a triumph years in the making. Recognizing the challenges of government with less representation, the Chamber advocacy, driven by your voices, pushed for efforts that led to the expansion of the Port and County Commissions to five districts, ensuring greater representation and modernization of our governance.
The Regional Future of Work Summit in 2023 was a
In 2024, Leadership Thurston County proudly welcomed its 30th class, a significant milestone that marks our enduring commitment to cultivating leadership excellence and community engagement. Furthermore, we’re thrilled to announce we’ve launched our Youth LTC program, a testament to our dedication to nurturing future leaders. This program will provide young people with the skills, knowledge, and networks they need to succeed in their future careers and contribute to our community.
Thurston Thrives, our community’s collective impact initiative, around health equity remains steadfast in its mission to address the determinants of health, foster meaningful conversations, and promote health equity. Together, we’re striving to create a healthier, more inclusive community.
Looking ahead, the Thurston County Chamber is filled with excitement to continue championing our members and the greater community. We’ll advocate for policies that foster economic development, provide platforms for connection and growth, and champion the interests of our diverse community, all with the aim of building a brighter future together.
Trenton Fluetsch Board Chair
David Schaffert President & CEO
2023-2024 Financials
Personnel Operating Business Promotions TOTAL EXPENSES NET INCOME $1,410,910 $255,000 $784,319 $2,450,229 $64,271 EXPENSES: Thurston County Chamber Membership Contracted Services Business Promotions Products & Services TOTAL REVENUE $460,000 $1,400,000 $350,500 $304,000 $2,514,500 REVENUE: Thurston County Chamber Foundation Incubator Services Programs Events TOTAL REVENUE $131,500 $338,300 $220,125 $689,925 REVENUE: Operations Programs Events TOTAL EXPENSES NET INCOME $225,350 $295,855 $118,500 $669,705 $20,220 EXPENSES: Olympia Lacey Tumwater Yelm/Tenino/Rural Thurston County Lewis 562 187 115 48 17 Mason Grays Harbor King Pierce Snohomish Remaining 15 15 210 110 46 63 TOTAL: 1,388 Members
of Members
Location
Board of Trustees
2023-2024
Trenton Fluetsch Chair Sunset Air, President
Kevin Stormans 2nd Vice Chair Stormans Inc., President
Alexis Alverson TwinStar Credit Union, Business Relationship Manager
Dave Wasson Chair Elect Dancing Goats Coffee, President/CEO
Patricia
Tessa Bradley Artisans Group Architecture and Planning, Principal
Ron Bruchet Bruchet Holdings, Owner
Will Callicoat MultiCare Capital Medical Center, President
De’Leon Brooks Community Member
Michael Cade Thurston Economic Development Council, Executive Director
Patricia Pich Treasurer
L. Pich, CPA, PLLC
Michelle Wickett Past Chair Mason-McDuffie Mortgage, Branch Manager
Joseph Lanham Hampton Lanham Group
Dr. Debra Clemens North Thurston Public Schools, Superintendent
Perry Hanchey Diamond Technology Innovations, President
Kelsey Hulse Strategies 360, Vice President of Government Relations
Darin Goss Providence Swedish, Chief Executive
Nate Peters Saint Martin’s University, Vice President of Marketing and Communications
Todd Monohon Olympic Rental & Landlord Services, Owner & Designated Broker
Michael White Farmers Insurance, Agent/Owner
Bob Iyall Medicine Creek Enterprises Corporation, CEO
David Schaffert Thurston County Chamber, President/CEO
Renee Radcliff Sinclair TVW, CEO
Trenton Fluetsch, Vice Chair Sunset Air, Vice President of Operations
Miguel Pineda Capitol City Press, Project Manager
Ebony Washington Yonic V-Spa, Owner
Makayla Roberson Mak’s Snack Shack, Owner
Staff 2023-2024
David Schaffert President/CEO
Andrew
Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives
Garate
Krystal Barkus-Franco Vice President of Operations
Marianne Judd Member Investment Project Coordinator
Jessica Houchin Operations & Events Coordinator
Mary Ann “Mia” Ong Business Solutions Navigator
Marquita Himes Industry Sector Lead and SSBIPOC
Christina Chesnut Director of Workforce Development
Schelli Slaughter Director, Thurston County Chamber Foundation
Doug Mah Director of Public Policy
Alisha Blain-Warner Director, Leadership Thurston County
Elizabeth Bretschneider Membership & Engagement
Joanne Stimac Finance Officer
Ashley Chandler Membership & Project Coordinator
Josefina Magaña Director, Thurston Thrives
Micah Pong Project Manager
CHAMBER AMBASSADORS
Lori Bodnar Great Wolf Lodge
Elizabeth Cooper Homestreet Bank
Cecilia Felix RE/MAX NW
Kevin Harris PrintNW
Shirley Jones T&S Cleaning
Corey Lopardi Pardiman Productions
McKim Odom 1st Security Bank
Denise Parker Harborstone Credit Union
Tim Shaw ThurstonTalk.com
Evette Temple Bank of the Pacific
Scott Tompkins
John L. Scott Real Estate
Nichole Wachtman
Evergreen Financial Services
Amanda Walker
Movement Mortgage
Rae Toth
REAL Broker, LLC
Becky Carver
Axia Home Loans
Eileen O’Malley
Olympic Moving & Storage
Michael Holden
Comcast Business
Charity Aleff KeyBank
Julia Devaney Devaney Electric
Scan the QR code below or visit our website at thurstonchamber.com/our-chamber/chamber-staff to find the latest Chamber Staff directory!
Dillon Johnson Business Solutions Navigator
Maika Morrow Business Solutions Navigator
Natasha Ashenhurst Marketing & Communications, Contractor
Valerie Tran Business Solutions Navigator
Malinda Johnston Military Program Coordinator
WHAT WE DO
The Public Policy Division of the Thurston Chamber is your leading advocate for business and the private sector across the region.
Supporting our community is at the heart of the Chamber mission. The Chamber advocates for members by addressing community issues, and ensuring a positive environment for a successful, high functioning community.
THE SHARED LEGISLATIVE PARTNERSHIP is convened every year to identify and champion regional investments with the State legislature. These investments maintain and enhance the region’s economic vitality and generate opportunities that enhance the quality of life for residents across the region. New State resources acquired by this work during the 2022 and 2023 legislative session include:
• Port of Olympia Budd Inlet: Remediation and Restoration
• North Thurston Public Schools: Young Child & Family Center
• Craft Brewing and Distilling: Local Grain Conveyance & Storage System
• Carbon Sequestration and Habitat Preservation
• SR 507 Roundabouts and I-5/Nisqually Delta planning
• Board of County Health - Efficiencies
Advocacy
LOCAL ADVOCACY is the core of the public policy division’s work. We inform local policy makers on the impacts new policies and regulations will have on local businesses.
We provide support for meaningful and significant public and private sector projects that will improve the economic health of our community. In 2022 and 2023 the Thurston Chamber has led the way on:
• Greater affordable housing
• West Bay Yards project
• Quiemuth Resort & Village projects
• BAR Holdings (Salish Landing) UGA Landswap
• Local government comprehensive plans
• Public School EP&O and Capital Facilities Levies
• Support for local Congressionally Directed Funds
PARTNERSHIPS By forging strong partnerships with entities that share our values and mission, we’re expanding our voice and influencing change on a larger scale.
We’ve successfully joined forces with organizations, creating a stronger and more united front in advocating for the needs of our community.
• Olympia Downtown Association
• Washington Retail Association
• Challenge Seattle
• Go Rail
• Washington Association of Business Townhalls – Washington in the Making
• Washington Association of Business – Grassroots Alliance
• South Sound Military Communities Partnership - JBLM Economic Impact Study
PUBLIC POLICY is made by those that show up. Government decisions and priorities, rules and regulations, and what gets developed and when, are determined by those that participate. The work of the public policy division ensures that the private sector is involved in the affairs of government. Advocating for Chamber members helps create a better environment for business. This helps to build a more resilient, equitable, and vibrant community for all.
By the Numbers 2023
9,126 Total Services Provided
4,012 Total Businesses Served
124 Total Number of Events
13,138 Total Number of Attendees
112 New Members
36 Ribbon Cuttings
90% Member Retention
Chamber Services
Businesses Served
2,476 Services Offered 2,738
Workforce Initiatives
Talent acquisition is only one challenge facing today’s businesses. Upskilling employees to maintain pace with industry changes, talent retention, succession planning and workforce diversity are just a few of many diverse challenges industry leaders face.
Training Program Skills & Certifications Gained:
235
Average Hire Rate Upon Upskill Attainment:
$27.01
Number of Business Hiring Event Attendees:
478
Our workforce development division ensure that, as a region, we are taking care of industry needs, and that businesses have the most competitive workforce for ongoing success. We accomplish this by providing leadership and serving as an essential conduit between the private sector and the public workforce system known as WorkSource.
The Chamber is contracted by Pacific Mountain Workforce Development council to provide business services to the five county region and beyond. Including Thurston, Mason, Lewis, Grays Harbor, Pacific Counties and on specialty project at Joint Base Lewis McChord and Naval Base Kitsap.
Business Services Menu
• Workforce Planning: Recruitment & Retention Strategies
• Targeted Recruitment Assistance
• Labor Market Data & Tax Credits
• Hiring Events
• ACT Job Profiling
• Sector Strategies
• Employer Workshops
• Training for Current and Future Employees
• Connections to Diverse Workforce Pipelines
Bridging the Skills Gap
Assisting Transitioning Military
Funded by private industry through the Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council, the Chamber operates an internship program in partnership with Joint Base Lewis McChord. The WorkEx program allows eligible active duty transitioning service members to participate in a 4-17 week hands-on-work-based learning opportunity with a host employer to bridge the gap in skills and experience needed to land a full-time career opportunity.
Aviation Pathways is a DoD/Army-approved Career Skills Program that prepares transitioning service members and veterans with at least 18 months prior experience in aircraft mechanics and an FAA-approved 8610-2 to test for their FAA Mechanic Certification. This program is in partnership with PacMtn Workforce Development. Aviation Pathways is a DoD SkillBridge and Army Career Skills Approved program that provides transitioning, retiring, and veteran aircraft mechanics with refresher skills and training over nine weeks to successfully prepare for the FAA Oral and Practical exams.
Internship Accelerators
In 2023, the Future of Work Summit shifted to a regional conference convening business, education and youth to bridge the skills gap in the region by developing an internship pipeline. Organizers are planning the 3rd annual Future of Work Summit on October 9, 2024.
Washington Workforce Portal
We also partnered with Washington Workforce Portal as a cost-effective opportunity to evaluate a potential future employee, a pipeline for candidates, access to students with unique skills and a way to gain short-term talent. For students, it provides hands-on work experience and a chance to explore career options.
Youth & Young Adult Training Initiatives
Launched in 2022, the Olympia Career Hub, in partnership with the City of Olympia, is a free resource for individuals who want to expand their professional skills and knowledge. Construction cohort training and career mapping for youth provide essential skills and opportunities lacking in the region.
Digital Literacy
As we advance into an ever-increasing technological world, the need for digital literacy has become apparent in our community. Digital Literacy measures an individual’s knowledge of computer hardware, computer software and the application of those technologies. In early 2023, the Chamber began offering regional training called Digital Literacy and has classes scheduled at various locations throughout the year. Thanks to Nisqually Indian Tribe for supporting this initiative.
Workforce Impact
Olympia Career Hub & WorkEx • 2023 - Early 2024 230 Students Attending Career Map Meetups Year to Date 160 Leadership/Professional Development Training Attendees 191 Forklift, OSHA-10, Flagger Certifications Acquired 59 Interviewed for Employment Opportunities 92% 184 9 Participating Business Satisfaction Rate Olympia Business Employees Served Construction Bootcamp Cohorts 386 Total Internships YTD 95% Average Placement Rate of Interns into Full-Time Jobs or Education $75K Average Annual Starting Salary 97% Repeat Business Hosts 96% Interviewed Interns for Employment Opportunities 98% Participating Business Satisfaction Rate 412 Total Clients Served Active Business Hosts 378 Total # of New WorkEx Employer Program Participants since 2023 385 Total # of Service Members and Spouses Placed into Employment since 2023 312
Strengthening Communities
Education, Equity & Entrepreneurship
The Chamber Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable education foundation, is committed to forging pathways to success for individuals and communities alike.
Centered on education, community leadership, and small business development, the Foundation is dedicated to fostering resilient communities through education, equity and entrepreneurship. Backed by community investment, the Foundation champions eight impactful initiatives aimed at nurturing prosperity.
Chamber Foundation Initiatives
Over 830 Leadership Thurston County graduates from over 325 organizations to date
Had a record year, with 68 participating business locations and 1,100 students learning how local business use math every day
Over $200,000 contributed to directly support scholarships for BIPOC students attending South Puget Sound Community College
Thank You Foundation Board Members
Trenton Fluetsch
Josefina Magaña Doug Mah Malcolm Miller
Denise Parker
Dave Wasson
Michelle Wickett
Collective impact effort to improve health equity for all in our community
Inspired over 600 students and career seeking participants at one day career exploration event
Connecting Thurston County High School Youth to a variety of careers and real-world skills
Successfully graduated two incubator businesses and onboarded three new BIPOC businesses to the Incubator
Providing resources and networking opportunities for 276 SSBIPOC participants
www.thurstonchamber.com/mathforlife Thank you Sponsors Northwest Sponsors Olympic Sponsors Finninsula Foundation Additional Prize Sponsors i.talia Pizzeria Mercato’s Ristorante Mystical Cupcakes Paramount Martial Arts Ramblin Jack’s Rib Eye TAGS Awards & Specialties Grand Prize Sponsors
VOICE Magazine
The monthly VOICE Magazine, published by the Thurston Chamber, has a mission to build community, reinforce belonging, foster economic interaction while remaining hyperlocal and business-centric. Scan the covers of the past year, and you’ll see a community focused on resilience and growth.
56,026 IMPRESSIONS 23/24 (12 MONTHS) DIGITAL EDITION MADE
22,000 ISSUES PRINTED CIRCULATEDAND
3,636
GROWING A PROSPEROUS ECONOMY & VIBRANT COMMUNITY THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER MARCH 2024 5th House Farms Family-run 5th House Farms is dedicated to offering the best artisanal cannabis products Legends Arcade Owners Christina and Patrick Costelo bring the nostalgic joys of the arcade to downtown The Stuff 'Legendsof ' AVisionary Leader GROWING A PROSPEROUS ECONOMY & VIBRANT COMMUNITY THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER Music is a Bridge for UnderservedYouth p.7 Serenity Apartments Offer Work/Life Balance p.10 Health Care Champions p.21 Thurston Shared Legislative Partnership Secures Millions in Funding for Regional Projects, Boosting Economic Growth and Collaboration GROWING A PROSPEROUS ECONOMY & VIBRANT COMMUNITY THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER OCTOBER 2023 The Future Work Sierra Pacific Industries' Youth Apprenticeship Program Builds Youth Talent Pipeline Sensory Tool House Supports Neurodivergent Populations with Workplace Accessibility The Evergreen State College offers CELTC Business and EntrepreneurshipCertificate and Undergraduate Options GROWING A PROSPEROUS ECONOMY VIBRANT COMMUNITY Bite Me Catering ChefCher Hobbick Brings California Sunshine to Olympia Through Her Vibrant Recipes RHD Enterprises Welcomes New CEO, Kris Beason Meet Josh Deck, the New CEO at OlyFed 2023 HONOREES Roussa Cassel Owner/Architect at Artisans Group Architecture & Planning Katie McMurrayFounder and CEO of SensoryTool House Erik Johnson THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER JANUARY 2024 THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER GROWING A PROSPEROUS ECONOMY & VIBRANT COMMUNITY David Bayne, Director of Thurston County Public Health and Social Services and Co-Chair of the Thurston County Opioid Task Force Fentanyl: The Deadly Opioid Ravaging Thurston County is Creating Twin Public Health and Criminal Justice Crises 'Off-Year'2023Elections LeadershiptoShapeCommunity andFuture Races for County and Port Commissioner, City Council and School Board on the ballot GROWING A PROSPEROUS ECONOMY & VIBRANT COMMUNITY AUGUST 2023 Leading the CityofLacey toNewHeights Rick Walk Tumwater's NewCity Administrator Lisa Parks LincolnCreekLumber BuildingLeadersfrom theGround Up GROWING A PROSPEROUS ECONOMY & VIBRANT COMMUNITY THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER SEPTEMBER 2023 The Thurston County Auditor’s Office chose a design by Bryan Ketola as the official “I Voted” sticker for 2023 Elections. Learn more www.thurstoncountywa.gov Voter’s Guide THURSTON COUNTY TheRantsGroup Celebrates50Years p. 20 WhattoExpectwithMore ElectedCommissioners p. 18
READS DIGITAL EDITION
THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER
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Caught in the Lens
Photography by Shanna Paxton
Photography
809 Legion Way SE • PO Box 1427 • Olympia, WA 98501 • (360) 357-3362 • info@thurstonchamber.com • thurstonchamber.com Thank You to Our Presenting Sponsors Executive Sponsors Corporate Sponsors Michael White